President Donald Trump has announced intentions to cut funding and potentially lay off employees in what he calls "Democrat agencies" amid the ongoing 2025 U.S. government shutdown. He is working with White House Budget Director Russ Vought, a key figure in the conservative "Project 2025" plan, to identify which agencies to target for budget reductions, which could be temporary or permanent.
Some specific actions already taken include defunding the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, cutting funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, and canceling climate and infrastructure funding primarily in Democratic states such as New York.
Additionally, a significant reduction in staffing is underway at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with about one-third of EPA staff projected to be cut by the end of 2025. This reduction is part of the broader Trump plan to slash federal workforce numbers, which aligns with his goal of reshaping the federal government and reducing federal spending.
In summary, Trump is targeting a broad range of federal agencies considered aligned with Democratic priorities, including oversight offices, environmental and humanities agencies, and others, with plans for both temporary and potentially permanent elimination or downsizing.
